Officials say a gas explosion and fire at a Moscow restaurant on Monday killed two people and injured at least 26.

The explosion occurred Monday afternoon in the kitchen of Italian restaurant Il Pittore. A fire spread quickly through the three-story building.

Emergencies services official Ilya Denisov said two restaurant employees died and 15 people were evacuated by ambulance. The Investigative Committee said in a statement that in addition to the two killed, 26 people were hurt.

Russian state news agencies, citing a spokesman for the emergency services, said 32 people were hospitalized. Investigators and emergency workers say the explosion is believed to have been caused by improper use of gas canisters.

(AP)